Kate on Cars - June 2014 - Know anyone you’d like to see receive a free car?

Kate on Cars - June 2014 - Know anyone you’d like to see receive a free car?

by Kate Jonasse

We’re getting ready for K-Tech Automotive’s Third Annual “Good Karma” Car Giveaway. From now through July 31, 2014, the public is invited to submit nominations on behalf of Sonoma County individuals who they feel are exceptional contributors to the community. This person should be deserving and in need of a reliable car to help better their lives and continue their service to others.

This year we have a red 2000 3-door Saturn Coupe to give to the right individual. The vehicle comes with a complimentary 1-year service package from K-Tech Automotive, which includes free oil changes, registration/transfer fees, and smog certificate. The vehicle we give away in this program are brought up-to-date on maintenance, and any needed repairs are done by K-Tech to ensure the vehicle is in safe and reliable condition.

We started the Car Giveaway program in 2011, with the purpose of further benefiting the lives of people in our community. I feel so grateful to Sebastopol and Sonoma County for supporting my business and helping us grow from the one-woman operation we started with in 2009 to the seven-member team we are today. This gratitude was part of the reason that I started this Car Giveaway program. I see this as a way to support in turn the community that has supported and continues to support me and K-Tech Automotive. Since we’re in the car business, it’s fitting that we give away cars.

The nickname “Good Karma” has many layers to it. Someone out there has the good karma to receive the free car we have to give them, then turn around and use it to do more good deeds, inspiring other to do so, hopefully causing a chain reaction of goodness.

If you have or know someone who has a vehicle they would like to retire and donate to this program, let us know. We’ll recycle it for you and turn it into a building block of a better life for someone.

We’ll choose the recipient in August, and have the Giveaway event at K-Tech Automotive in August or September at a date to be determined. There will be food and prizes and lots of fun at the Giveaway event, so keep an eye out for the event flier. We’ll be sending them out to residents of Sebastopol, and you can also send me your name and information to be put on our email list so you can get updates

Last year’s recipient, single mother 24-year-old Harmony Simmons, received a beautiful and reliable 2002 Buick Regal. Before receiving this car, Harmony was spending 4 hours on the bus every day to get to work and school and take care of her 5-year-old daughter. She was doing what she had to do, but it was really hard and she was almost ready to quit school. Because of the gift of this car, Harmony was able to stay in school, keep her job helping other foster youth, and continue to take care of her daughter and to better both their lives. Harmony deserved a helping hand, and she got one. We feel truly happy that we were able to help Harmony in this way. We look forward to continuing to help people in this way.

Nominations can be mailed to K-Tech Automotive, 198 S. High St., Sebastopol, CA 95472, or emailed to kate@ktechautomotive.com with “Good Karma” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Nominations should not be first party (nominating yourself). Additional contest information can be found at www.ktechcargiveaway.com.